Overwatch: Anniversary Event

Many of you have been looking forward to Overwatch’s Anniversary Event. The event is now live on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. New things on this event: three new Arena maps to the Arcade, more than 100 Anniversary rewards, including the largest-ever release of new Legendary skins! You’ll earn Anniversary Loot Boxes as you play, plus pick up a free box when you log in between May 23 and June 12, 2017. Anniversary Loot Boxes are also available for purchase—but they’ll be locked away after the event ends.

NEW ARENA MAPS
Arena maps are small maps built for intense action. Eliminate all enemy players to win a round—and, ultimately, win the match. As part of the Anniversary event, we’ve added three new maps to the Arcade that support up to 3v3 elimination matches.

Necropolis
Ana Amari has made Necropolis her personal hideout—and an impromptu field base where she can keep an eye on things. Head to Ana’s preferred vantage point at the top of the ruins, and use the high ground (and the element of surprise) against the enemy team. Or walk the stone corridors below, and take the fight to them directly—just watch out for pits!

Castillo
Castillo is an old fort looking out over Dorado’s bay. It’s the location of Calaveras, a bar frequented by questionable patrons; a graffitied Los Muertos hangout; and Sombra’s hacking den.
Test your skills against the enemy team throughout Castillo’s multiple levels, and use its winding stairs for cover and strategic advantage.

Black Forest
On the outskirts of Eichenwalde, the misty Black Forest map wraps around a long-overlooked battlefield dotted with the wreckage of Bastion units. Flank your opponents on pathways between the castle and woods, and use the wooden balconies to move between the second stories of houses throughout the forest.

We’ve also added dances for each hero, as well as 24 new voice lines, 25 sprays, and 25 player icons, including golden player icons.
You’ll get a free Anniversary Loot Box just for logging in to the game during the event. But don’t wait too long; these Loot Boxes are going away after the Anniversary event ends!

OVERWATCH: ANNIVERSARY EDITION
In addition to this, a Game of the Year Edition of Overwatch is also now on sale. It is available for a “special introductory price of $40” on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. A press release indicates that the price will increase to $59.99 in the future, but it’s not clear when. For more details on the Overwatch: Anniversary Edition go to our previous blog post. Blizzard has also discounted the standard edition of Overwatch to $30 for a limited time but keep in mind that for $10 more you get the Anniversary Edition of the game

This is more of a reminder: Don’t forget that Blizzard is holding another free weekend for Overwatch from May 26-29. Players will be able to level up, earn Loot Boxes, and unlock customization options during the free weekend. Those who decide to purchase the game afterward will retain the progress they made.